A look at what’s happening around the majors on Saturday:
MARQUEE MATCHUP
As pitching matchups go, this one is aces.
Two of baseball’s best pitchers will square off in Cleveland with New York’s Gerrit Cole starting against Shane Bieber.
The All-Star right-handers met last October in the wild-card round and the Yankees teed off on Bieber, tagging the 2020 Cy Young winner for seven runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. Cole struck out 13 in New York’s 12-3 win.
“I wouldn’t mind it unfolding like that again,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said with a smile.
Bieber has 48 strikeouts and is the first pitcher to fan 10 or more in his first four starts. He’s aiming to match Hall of Famer Randy Johnson’s record of 17 straight starts with at least eight Ks.
TROUT OUT
The Angels hope star outfielder Mike Trout is ready to return from a bruised left elbow
Trout was hit by a fastball from Houston’s Cristian Javier on Thursday night and exited an inning later. The three-time AL MVP was scratched from the starting lineup Friday night at Minute Maid Park.
Los Angeles manager Joe Maddon said he expects Trout to be OK to play Saturday. Trout is off to a great start this season, leading the American League with a .393 average and six home runs.
REMATCH
Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer and former AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell match up for the second time in seven days when the Padres play at Dodger Stadium.
Snell is seeking his first win of the season in five starts since being traded to San Diego. He’s 0-0 with a 4.11 ERA, striking out 24 in 15 1/3 innings.
Bauer is 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA in four starts for Los Angeles, fanning 36 in 26 innings.
Last Sunday at Petco Park, Bauer limited the Padres to one run in six innings. Snell limited the Dodgers to two hits in five innings.
CUBS CLUB
Willson Contreras, Anthony Rizzo and the Cubs have won four in a row — and twice have scored at least 15 runs in a win.
Chicago routed the Mets 16-4 on Wednesday and roughed up the Brewers 15-2 on Friday at Wrigley Field.
Milwaukee right-hander Freddy Peralta (2-0, 2.00 ERA) goes on Saturday, making his third start this month against the Cubs. Right-hander Adbert Alzolay (0-2, 6.10 ERA) pitches for Chicago.
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